Chapter One:
Arrival
Albus nervously followed close behind Rose through the long corridor on the scarlet train. Rosie pushed through the crowds to find an empty carriage. When they finally succeeded the two sat across from each other and engaged in conversation. They discussed the same topic as usual, Hogwarts. Curled upon Rosie's lap was a ginger cat, she called him Harold. Rose had claimed that Harold was one of Crookshank's descendents, but of course, there was no concrete proof of this claim. She pet the fluffy coat while she let Albus single-handedly direct the conversation.
"How do you think we'll cope, I mean with everything that James has told us?" Albus asked in a timid voice that his mother had said sounded so much like Harry's at his age.
"I suppose we'll do fine if we work hard. Mother always says that the library is giant and the teachers helpful," Rosie answered, looking up from the cat to her cousin.
"I guess, hey did you know what your dad was talking about when everyone was staring at us?" Al asked again, hoping for a satisfying answer.
"No idea, you? Perhaps I could look it up in the library," she said in a clinical, uninterested voice.
"No, but I think that James might know. He was asking father an awful lot of questions over the winter holiday," Albus murmured, mostly to placate his own worries.
Rosie was about to say something in reply to his suspicions, but the glass door loudly slid open and cut her off. It permitted a small boy to enter, who produced a meek cough. Both of the children looked up. Standing at the door stood a pallid looking boy with bleach-blond hair and grey-blue eyes. His face was sharp and angular, giving him a menacing look, however his voice was as shy as Albus' and still higher pitched.
"Could I sit with you?" he asked quietly with a darting glance towards the empty seat.
Albus felt as if he knew him somehow and the realization made him feel uneasy. His knowledge of people in the wizarding world was almost entirely restricted to his immediate family so the déjà vu made him ponder who this boy was. The pale boy made him feel anxious and he couldn't put his finger on why. Before Al could reply Rosie dove into conversation with a voice as confident as ever.
"Sure, I'm Rose by the way," she stated, sticking out her hand in offering. He took it in a short shake then sat down with faint smile playing across his face.
"My name is Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy," he said once his owl cage was safely stored in the luggage rack.
"Scorpius… Rosie, your dad warned us about him," Albus hissed at her, hoping desperately that he hadn't hear, though judging by his raised forehead, he had.
"Never you mind him, I'm making friends and I suggest you do the same," Rose said obnoxiously indignant.
"Hello, the name's Albus Severus Potter," Al said as loud and proud as he could manage.
"I like your name, three of the world's greatest men. I'm stuck with my great-great-grandfather's name and he hasn't done anything extraordinary like them," Scorpius laughed in a shaky, hollow tone. It appeared as though he was worried that he'd offend Albus, though Al didn't understand why, Scorpius had only said compliments so far.
"Thank you," Albus replied shyly. "Scorpius, what house do you think you'll be in?"
"Well that's a tough one, humph, I'd have to say Slytherin," he replied sarcastically.
"Do you not want to be in Slytherin? You know the hat takes what you want in for account too," Al said.
"Albus, I think that you must be mistaken, Hogwarts, a History says nothing about you telling the Hat which House you want to be in," Rosie put in forcefully, before Scorpius could reply.
"Rose, will you please¾"
"Please what, Albus? Have the books ever been wrong? I think not, now if you please I think that I'm going to find Lucy, I lent her my book and I would like it back," Rosie fumed. "It was nice meeting you Scorpius, I hope to see you soon," she added sweetly.
The glass door opened for a mere moment then closed. Al watched as Rosie's robes swished out of sight. What had gotten into her, he thought, why had she left him alone with a Malfoy? Albus looked back toward Scorpius who had taken out a copy of The Quibbler and was reading it avidly. The magazine's editor was an old friend of Al's father, Luna Lovegood. She was the new Care of Magical Creatures Professor because of her recent discovery of the Crumple-Headed Snorkrack. He had only ever met her once when she came over to meet Lily, who's middle name is Luna. Albus thought that she had seemed nice enough, but a little eccentric in his mind... though he would never tell a soul. Albus cleared his throat loudly and Scorpius instinctually looked at him. He set down the magazine and waited for Albus to speak.
"Forget what Rose says, my father told me that he asked the Hat to put him in Gryffindor," Al said.
"I know; I've heard the Harry Potter stories plenty of times, but that's not the problem. I'm not sure what my father would say if I didn't get in Slytherin; all of my family has been in Slytherin, except for Sirius Black," he said.
"Do you know my father?" Albus asked, curious now.
"Besides the obvious, yeah, my father respects him and tells me all the stories of when they went to school together. My dad said that he was a prat back then. Your father is an incredible man, Albus, you're lucky," Scorpius said. He spoke in a way that made Albus feel that Scorpius could see something that he could not.
"Obvious, what do you mean?"
"You seriously don't know why Harry Potter is a famous name?" Albus shook his head and then Scorpius began to explain. Everything came into sharp reality when he told the story of his father, also known as: the boy who lived. Though Albus was furious that none of this had ever come up before, he still understood his parents' reasoning. He could not have ever grown up normal knowing the huge shoes in which he had to fill.
Halfway through their conversation, the lunch trolley rolled past and Albus bought some of the chocolate frogs, which his mother never allowed him to buy. Scorpius got licorice wands and cauldron cakes. Once the door had safely swung shut, Scorpius got on with his story starting up at the part where his father first saw He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named during the Triwizard Tournament. Al opened one of the chocolate frogs and it jumped out. During mid-flight on its way to the window, he caught it.
"That was a bloody good catch; with reflexes like that you could be a seeker," Scorpius said happily chewing his licorice wand. Albus tore the head off the frog and set it upon the floor for the enjoyment of himself and Scorpius. In the back of the box there was a picture, he pulled it out for a closer look; it read: Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Potter rediscovered The Three Hallows during the final Hogwarts battle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become head of said department in 2007.
The Hallows, he had heard about them when he read one of the stories from The Tales of Beedle the Bard. His father had read it to him every night when he was younger. When he got older his father had told Al that the Elder wand's power no longer existed, and now it all made sense. His father did not want him to find the all-powerful wand, and he knew for a fact that his father wore a gold ring with a crystal in it that could possibly be the resurrection stone. From what Scorpius had told him, the invisibility cloak assisted his many adventures. In an instant he decided to keep this information to himself, if anything he least of all wanted James inheriting the invisibility cloak.
As this thought crossed his mind, the glass door opened. James came in followed by two mousy haired boys and strawberry blond girl, all of which were second years. Al knew all of them for as long as he could remember. He, of course, had a relative among the group as well. They swept in with their robes billowing behind them and sat down; James, and Albus's cousin Roxanne next to him and the twins sat on either side of Scorpius. It was obvious that he was uncomfortable so he started to read The Quibbler again.
"Look at little Albus, how's mum's little boy?" James inquired.
"Fine, thanks," he answered curtly.
"I don't know about you Lysander, but it doesn't seem like Al is respecting his elders," said one mousy haired boy turning his head to look at the other.
"I'd have to agree Lorcan he's definitely not the saint that Albus Dumbledore was in his day," Lysander drawled.
"Show a little consideration, boy," Lorcan demanded, pulling his wand from his robes. Lysander and James followed suit while Roxanne sat staring idly out the window.
"S-sorry," Albus whispered.
"Albus, what are you apologizing for?" Scorpius asked.
"You know bloody well what he's apologizing for, Malfoy," spat James while turning his wand on him.
Neither Scorpius nor Albus drew their wands, seeing as though they did not know how to use them properly. Scorpius held his posture with a death glare at James. James raised his wand so that it pointed downward at Scorpius' chest. James smiled sickly; then the door slammed open.
"Now out of curiosity which jinx were you planning on using on him, Cousin Jimmy?" Lucy, who was a prefect, directed the question at James whose smile had faded.
"Sorry Luce, I was just about to¾" Roxanne began.
"Save it, I'm going to send an owl to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter along with Mr. and Mrs. George Weasley," Lucy said, you could tell that she was Percy's child when you gave her authority. Roxanne whimpered softly at the sound of her father's name. "I will also be speaking to Professor Lovegood when we arrive, I suggest you go to your carriage before I give you a detention," Lucy said turning so that her prefect badge glinted in the sun. Lysander punched James in the arm and complained that it was his idea while Roxanne and Lorcan bickered.
The three boys and Roxanne trailed out of the cabin and glowered at Lucy on their way out. Lucy watched them walk down three cabins then turn into their own. She sighed contently and smiled at the two first-years.
"We'll be arriving soon; you should probably put your robes on. Are you alright Albus, I know your brother can be a pain," Lucy asked while he nodded. "I'm Lucy Weasley by the way, nice to meet you¾" she said to Scorpius.
"Scorpius Malfoy," he finished for her. She nodded at him and patted Al on the shoulder before leaving. Both of the boys changed into their black robes without a word, both of them knew that James was joking, but both of them were hurt just the same. Just as Al was beating the creases out of his neatly folded robes, the door opened again and Rosie peeked in. She made exasperated sigh them slammed the door making Scorpius flinch. Not even two minutes later, she came back with Harold at her heels.
She plopped on the bench next to Albus and watched Harold chase the beheaded chocolate frog. "Mental cat," he could have sworn she muttered. She heaved a heavy breath then looked up at Albus and Scopius's expectant eyes.
"When I was looking for Lucy I ran into Dominique trying to hex someone with that heavy French accent, no wonder it didn't work. Well she was blocking the way to Lucy's usual cabin and once I finally got there, I remembered that she would be in the prefect cabin on the other side of the train. I got there and Louis told me that she was patrolling. Then I ran into James and he told me that she was with you. I got here and she wasn't there, I raced back to the prefect cabin and quite literally ran into her, she gave me the book and now here I am with you!" she ended sounding winded. "Now why was she in here anyway?"
"James," Albus answered with a single word and she knew exactly what he meant. He knew that his mother had asked Rosie to keep an eye out for her scrawny, little Albus and though he knew it was her best intentions he still found it difficult to accept that a girl was defending him. She managed a small smile then quickly changed it into a grimace.
"I'm sorry Albus, I shouldn't have left you," Rosie said sadly.
"Its fine I'll have to learn to defend myself someway," Al said, strictly for Rose's ears only, but he was sure that Scorpius heard as well.
"At least James is on the Quidditch team, you could practice spells while he's practicing," Rose said, presumably trying to be helpful. He nodded, and then returned to beating the wrinkles from his robes. Scorpius returned to The Quibbler and Rosie started to read the book that she had gotten from Lucy. Albus stared at the ceiling in a useless way; he was already starting to miss home with his little sister and without James. Al was determined to have fun though even if it meant learning a few defensive spells along the way. The only thing keeping him attentive was the idea of his house placement at dinner.
Rose tried to talk to Albus a few more times on the remaining ride to Hogwarts, but Albus was not in the mood for apologies and embarrassment in front of Scorpius, his only friend. Albus merely shook his head or ignored her and after a few tries she gave up for the time being and turned to talk to Scorpius. Their conversations seemed to go in one of Al's ears and out the other, for he was too preoccupied watching his brother pass the door tauntingly and the mountainous landscape cross the window. After about one hour, a small village was in view and Rose's conversation was dieing. She finally looked up when a chorus of squealing rose in the other cabins. The three of them moved toward the window and pressed their faces against the glass.
Albus saw a huge man standing on the platform far ahead. The night was already coming upon them and the man was prepared, for he was holding a large lantern. Al recognized him immediately though he had never met the man in his life. From the looks of him, he matched exactly to James's description of Hagrid. He had a large traveling cloak on that had many pockets holding various things sticking out. There was also a ring with what had to be more than two-hundred keys hanging on it. He had frizzed black hair that carried down into a beard. In the right light, you could see a few of the hairs shining silver. He smiled when the scarlet train came into view.
"We will be stopping in Hogsmeade Station momentarily, please wait for either a prefect or head boy or girl to lead you onto the platform. Your luggage will be brought up separately, enjoy your year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry." A loud voice echoed through the excited squeals and screams.
Al, despite his sour mood, shot Rosie and Scorpius an ecstatic look. Scorpius tucked away his magazine and fed his tawny owl a treat, it hooted appreciatively. Rose held her book under her arm and sat next to Al nudging him with her elbow. He could not help but to get into the spirit.
"Rosie, we made it. We're actually here!" Albus shrieked. Scorpius grinned widely and Rose made a girly screech, which made both of the boys cover their ears.
"Make your way to ze platform, zank 'ou," said Victoire Weasley, Gryffindor's head girl, said as she opened the glass door. They heard her repeat this as she made her way down the hall. Sparing nothing more then a glance at each other they made there way into the swarming hall. The overexcited girls pushed them forward, whilst a couple of fifth-years elbowed them out of the way. All of them were happy to be on the platform surrounded by familiar faces. They saw most of the Weasley lot and James with the Scamanders, Luna Lovegood's boys. James spotted Albus in the crowd and waved.
"Good luck, Al," James said while obviously trying very hard not to make fun of him. "Hi, Hagrid," he added at the sight of his overgrown friend.
"Hi yeh, James," said Hagrid before returning to yelling above the loud conversations and laughter. "Firs' years! All yeh firs' years over here, follow me! That all o' yeh?" he said before walking over to the lakeside with the first-years running behind him to keep up. Al grabbed Rosie and Scorpius, who were staring at the carriages that carried themselves up the hill. Scorpius looked stricken and Rose worried.
They ran for their lives catching up with Hagrid and the mass of eleven year-olds. When they arrived, Hagrid was helping the last of the children into rowboats.
"Ah, I knew we were missin' the Potter and Weasley lot! Get on in Albus, Rosie an' uh, you are?" Hagrid said at the sight of the breathless kids.
"Scorpius Malfoy, sir," Scorpius answered. Hagrid's face twisted when he said "Malfoy", but looked oddly giddy when he called him "sir".
Once they had all, loaded into the rowboats they magically started rowing. The paddles moved in a circular motion, occasionally hitting Rosie in the arm. They could see bobbing lights above the black water. Albus could see Hagrid's giant shadow in the distance. Rose was rambling off facts about Hogwarts to fill the amazed silence.
"Did you know that it's impossible to apparate or dispparate on Hogwarts grounds? On the other hand, did you know that the ceiling in the dining hall is not really the sky; it is only enchanted to look like it does outside. And have you heard that¾" Rosie whispered, occasionally nudging one of the boys.
"Rose, hush," Albus demanded.
"-jus' like I said. Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' 'Ogwarts roun' this bend," Hagrid called over his shoulder.
"Merlin's pants, do you see the size of it?" Rosie exclaimed. She was not the only one; there was a chorus of "ooohs" and many enthusiastic shouts.
"Olivia look, can you see the Gryffindor tower?"
"I think I saw something in the water!" shouted a girl in the back.
"It's probably just the giant squid," squealed Rose. In response to Rose's explanation, a couple of girls screamed. Hagrid looked back alarmed only to see a boat full of girls rocking as they cowered in a corner.
After a few more minutes of floating across the still water, the boats drifted to a shore on the Hogwarts grounds. Hagrid's boat was the first to hit the hard clay, followed by many more thuds. Hagrid helped one of the smaller girls who had screamed at the squid out of the boat. The girl was shorter than most of the other girls and had long wavy brunette hair. She gratefully took Hagrid's hand and staggered to ground.
"Yeh alrigh' Miss Sara Williams?" Hagrid asked. She nodded and scurried up after the other squeaking girls. Al helped Rosie out of the boat and they all walked up to the grand stairs. All of them huddled into their cloaks and Rose massaged a bruise on her arm. For the most part the walk was silent and peaceful until they reached the stairs; once they were there, they could hear the murmuring of rekindling conversation. There was a loud shout, which Albus assumed to be James.
Hagrid left them in an entrance hall and went into the Great Hall; where Albus saw James, standing yelling to the Scamander twins halfway across the room. One of the strict looking, tall professors with grey hair tied into a bun reprimanded him and he sat down in a rejected sort of way.
"Ickle Firsties!" a disembodied voice from above said. All of the first-years looked up. Out of thin air, a little translucent man wearing mismatched clothing appeared with a small pop. Albus knew this ghost, he was Peeves the Poltergeist, Al's father had specifically told him not to mess with Peeves, but was there an exception if Peeves messed with them first?
Peeves was hanging by the chandelier, blowing raspberries at the eleven-year olds. Another ghost was hovering through the hall. She had waist-length hair and a floor length robes. Her face was beautiful, yet haughty and proud too. She looked at Peeves who was now wrecking havoc on the floor trying to give the students wet-willies.
"Peeves, please carry on," she said in a respectful voice.
"Helana, Helana is there really anything you can do to stop me?" Peeves asked loudly before swooping down in front of her.
"I could go get the Bloody Baron, he owes me a debt you know," she said in the same non-emotional voice. Peeves glared at her, then cursed before swooping off singing something about plans for the "Ickle Firsties".
"I hope to see you in Ravenclaw, my dears," said Helana before floating through the grand double doors.
"Scorpius, Albus that was the Grey Lady, she's Ravenclaw's daughter!" Rosie squealed, while looking hopefully at the door through which she had just floated.
Scorpius looked at Albus and they had a sort of silent conversation. Without a single word, the two promised to stay friends and made plans to go to the grounds for lunch. Albus could tell Scorpius was nervous, for he did not want to disappoint his father, but felt that he deserved better than the power-hungry Slytherins. The chatter had seemed to grow within the first-years, but stopped dead when the doors opened.
A red-haired woman had opened the door. She wore navy blue robes that pooled at the ground by her feet. Her face was slim and peaceful and she seemed to bring a certain presence. The doors swung shut behind her as the last of the eleven year olds turned to face her.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor Harlyn, I teach transfiguration here and I will be bringing you in to be sorted," she said in a melodious voice. A knot tied in Albus's chest, the moment had come in which he could either prove his brother wrong or worse right. The clump of first-years drifted into the hall following Professor Harlyn. Rosie pointed out the ceiling that looked like the clear night sky outside. Al was aware of the many eyes upon his back including his brother's, but he shook off the fact that he was the center of attention and peered at the table lined with teachers.
There was an old man with a boney face and grey mustache sitting on the end and next to him, there was a black haired and dark skinned woman. She sat next to a round-faced proud man the same age as Al's father. This was Neville Longbottom, their Herbology professor. On his right sat a girl with a pale face and flowing blond hair to her knees. The woman had tiny orange radishes as earrings and that gave her away as Luna Lovegood, the twins' mother and their Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Next to her was a short withering man with white fluffy hair, he sat upon a few books to peer over the table. Next, there was an empty seat, which Albus assumed to be Professor Harlyn's spot. On the right of that chair, there sat a brown-haired middle-aged man and in the middle was the grey-haired professor who had reprimanded his brother. The woman sat upon a taller chair; Al assumed this was Professor McGonagall, the headmistress. Next was a pudgy man wearing too-tight robes and on his right another empty chair. Next to that was a centaur who sat on the ground and had a look of slight discomfort on his face and then there was an angular faced woman wearing a tall pointed hat with silver stars and moons on it. On her right sat an old spiky grey-haired woman. The last three people were a translucent sad looking ghost, a large man with a look of happy contempt and Hagrid who sat on the end looking rather out of place near the rest of the professors (all of which were normal sized).
Unconsciously Albus followed the rest of the students to the front where there sat a three legged stool and a worn out patched hat. They formed a group in front of the rest of the school where they waited for further instructions from Professor Harlyn. She walked to the stool and picked up a piece of parchment.
"After the song I will call your names, when you hear your own please come and sit so that I can put the hat on your head to be sorted," said the professor with fire-red hair.
"Song?" Al whispered. Rosie just waved her hand at him and demanded his silence.
Professor Harlyn tapped the top of the hat and a large gash at the base of the hat opened along with two patches, which assembled what looked rather like a face. It made a throat-clearing sound then began to sing.
You may think that,
I am just a hat.
Well you are very wrong you see,
Because when the founders left, they made me,
To choose in which House you will be.
Don't try to hide a single thought,
Because your will, it can be fought,
For I am the sorting hat!
Now I could just leave it at that,
But I will explain my duties as a cap.
With a single word,
You may think your future is absurd.
Gryffindor is where the brave at heart start.
Their nerve, daring and chivalry set them apart.
Or Hufflepuff, whom are true,
And at the sign of trouble are never blue.
Perhaps Ravenclaw, is where you'll fit,
Where the ones of wit and learning are, I must admit.
Maybe even Slytherin is where you'll meet some friends.
For the cunning folk will go to all ends.
So that is why I'm the one who tells,
In which house you will be, and well,
Quite honestly, it's because that the hat must be swell!
Once the hat finished, it waited for the rest of the school to applaud before looking up at the professor. She and the other Professors clapped and cheered like the students. Albus felt the knot tighten in his chest, there was no stopping him now. He felt excitement beyond control and let a large grin play across his lips. Professor Harlyn unrolled the list and held it in front of her.
"Adams, Valerie."A small blond girl walked shakily to the stool and sat. Professor Harlyn placed the hat on her head and not even after thirty seconds of being placed there it screamed out.
"RAVENCLAW!" The table to the left of Albus erupted in applause. She sat down and was clapped on the back by a couple older students.
"Amethyst, Isabelle." One of the screaming girls with a look of superiority walked up. Before the hat was even on her head it yelled out.
"SLYTHERIN!" There was a chorus of clapping and yells of laughter as she walked over the table under the silver and green snake.
"Bradley, Riley." The first boy went up, he looked oddly thuggish for only being eleven. With his jaw set tight he sat down.
"SLYTHERIN!" He followed after Isabelle, into the clapping crowd.
"Brandon, Harrison."
"Rosie, good luck," Albus whispered under his breath as the hat called out yet another Slytherin. "You too, Scorpius," he added at the look on Scorpius's face. Albus had the same feeling as Scorpius, after all was it common to be made a Gryffindor, there hadn't been one yet.
"Beedly, Terry." This girl looked frightened out of her wits, she trembled as she sat down.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" For the first time she walked right. The Hufflepuffs' clapping was thunderous.
"Creevy, Lucas." Al knew that name, he peeled his eyes from Terry and watched a small black-haired boy with a grim look on his face walk up and sit down. This time the hat had a moment of indecision in which the crowd looked spellbound.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The loudest applause yet conquered over the rest. Albus could hear James shouting a congratulations to the new boy.
"Finlay, Charles." A confused short and stout boy walked to the Professor.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Harding, Trevor."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Harvey, Noah."
"RAVENCLAW!"
Albus was hardly aware of the list flying by, he could now hear his heart beating in his ears and his eyes stared blankly at the chair. He felt his chest constricted, under pressure. Suddenly it became very hot and the black robes were sticking to his skin.
"Kenneth, Phoebe."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Lee, Gwen."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Malfoy, Scorpius." He felt his shoulder rub Scorpius's as he walked to the front of the room. He sat on the chair and Professor Harlyn lowered the hat. It opened its mouth then stopped. Al could see Scorpius's lips moving slightly as the hat looked thoughtful. For the longest time yet the hat sat there, the faces of his classmates looked weary.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Applause broke out over the Gryffindor table and there were a couples "Boos" from the Slytherin table. Scorpius sat next to Lucas Creevy, both of them looked relived as ever.
"McMillan, Morgan." A stringy dark girl walked up near the podium.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Clapping on the right. Albus was sure he had missed some of the student's being called; for it was hard to hear through his beating heart which was unnaturally loud. He was sure he had missed a few, when people started clapping for no apparent reason. Al hardly noticed his own name being called, if it hadn't been for Rosie she probably would have had to say it again. Rose pushed him through the small crowd. He walked up with the sensation of sleepwalking. He sat awkwardly on the chair and felt the hat on his messy black hair. He heard James yell in the crowd. Al kept his eyes closed.
Hmm, very nice mind you have here. Worried about being in Slytherin I see. Does no one want to be in Slytherin? Well, you are quite right, an excellent Slytherin you would make, though Gryffindor is strong in your family and I can see the characteristics there as well. You're a Potter aren't you? I think that I should put you in whatever you like, the rest of your family has chosen.
Al felt uncertainty now that the time was actually here and what did he mean by the rest of your family has chosen. Did James ask to be put in Gryffindor? Without thinking it through he whispered, "Put me where I'll be best." He wanted to earn this for himself without begging to be put in Gryffindor.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The applause was thunderous. He couldn't feel his fingers, he was numb with excitement. His heart pounded in his chest and adrenaline ran through his veins. James stood and clapped him on the back. Albus sat in between his brother, cousins and Scorpius.
"Yes, score another Potter for Gryffindor!" Al very vaguely hear his brother yell.
"Smith, Henry."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Taylor, Charlotte."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Thomas, Olivia."
"GRYFFINDOR!" The table around him broke into a applause again.
"Weasley, Rose." A couple of people shouted things like, another Weasley or, go Rosie, all of which were drowned out when the hat responded.
"GRYFFINDOR!" She nearly ran to the table and sat with Albus and Scorpius. All three of them had the widest grins they could manage and Rosie was red-faced with excitement.
"Williams, Sara." The girl who screamed in the boat with the long brown hair was the last to go up.
"RAVENCLAW!" Professor Harlyn, rolled up the parchment and carried that along with the stool and hat away. Before everyone could start talking the strict looking woman, Professor McGonagall, stood.
"As many of you know I am Professor McGonagall, the headmistress at this school and I wish that you have a most wonderful year here at Hogwarts, enjoy!" she said spreading her hands to the students and suddenly the golden plates were filled with food. He saw James's hand swipe the first turkey leg. There were various puddings, poultry, soups, vegetables and rolls of any and every kind. To drink they had pumpkin juice, butter beer for the older students and Gurdyroot juice, which he could see Professor Lovegood (and no one else) drinking happily. Albus helped himself to potatoes and a lamp chop along with some pumpkin juice and began to eat. He noticed that Rose had already started a conversation with a girl he recognized as Olivia Thomas about the ceiling. He turned to Scorpius who had piled his plate with food.
"I thought you said that you were going to be in Slytherin," Albus said loudly over the chatter before taking a bite of the lamb.
"I did, but I wanted to be in Gryffindor, so I asked it," he nearly yelled over Lucas Creevy's animated discussion.
"But what will your dad say?" Al asked cautiously.
"I wasn't planning on telling him," Scorpius said while loading his plate with Yorkshire pudding. Albus was frightened by the idea of him possibly getting in trouble for getting in the house that he had wanted, but he did not voice his opinion. James's voice suddenly overpowered the rest.
"Then, the great Muggle tried to take it back so I," James said swishing his wand to levitate a golden goblet from Victoire's hands, "levitated it."
"Zat is not funny, James. I am a 'ead girl," Victoire said irritably. She grasped the goblet and James let the spell go.
"That's rubbish that is, if you had used magic you wouldn't be here!" said Fred Weasley, Roxanne's brother.
"Oi, are you calling me a liar?" James responded before drinking deeply from his goblet. Once he finished a large gulp he spit it out all over Molly, Lucy's sister.
"James," she shrieked then glowered at him. He paid her no heed, he was too busy yelling at Fred.
"You filthy little-"
"Filthy little what, James?" Fred asked.
"You turned it to vinegar," James yelled.
"Oh really, I was going for Gurdyroot juice," he replied with his hands clamped on the table. James retorted rudely and Fred slammed down a book, knocking over a pitcher of water onto Louis, who was Dominique and Victoire's brother. He shuddered and stood dripping onto Lucy, who screamed and jumped back knocking Filch down. Finally Professor McGonagall noticed the disruption and clapped to bring out the deserts. At this point Dominique was waving her wand at Molly, Louis and Lucy who were soaked. Albus caught some of the hot air which was blowing in jets out of her wand. Soon everyone was dry and smiling widely.
"I cannot believe that I even 'elp you," Victoire said at a whisper.
"Thanks Vicki and everyone else, great distraction!" James muttered under his breath. Roxanne came in and sat next to James and nodded. Roxanne was James's best friend. Al opened his mouth to ask him and he waved his wand in Albus's direction.
"You just wait little brother," he mouthed at Al. Albus closed my mouth and attended to the deserts. There was chocolate gateau, treacle tart, crystallized pineapple and peppermint humbugs. Further down the table there were cakes and puddings piled high. He noticed that Rosie took a small slice of chocolate gateau, whereas James filled his plate with anything that he could reach. Just as Albus was about to take a bite of treacle tart there was a high-pitched scream.
Everyone looked toward the staff table. The red-haired and heavily freckled Professor Harlyn was holding a frog by its leg about an arms length away from her. It wriggled in her pinching fingers. She took out her wand and muttered "Impedimenta" it froze and Filch hurried up to take it off her hands.
"Wonderful Roxy," James praised Roxanne.
"Oh dear, Monica are you all right?" asked Luna Lovegood in an airy voice.
"Quite," Monica Harlyn answered before excusing herself from the table.
Albus looked at James who, along with Roxanne and Fred were choking to hold in laughs. Most of the plates along Gryffindor table were empty and with another of McGonagall's claps the plates were cleared. She stood up once more and everyone turned to look at her.
"I have a few announcements in which I must say before sending you with your head boys and girls to the common rooms. First I cannot stress enough that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students unless accompanied, willingly," McGonagall eyed James. "by a staff member. Also Mr. Filch would like me to remind you that use of magic in the hallways will be punished and that Fanged Frisbees, Screaming Yo-yos and Exploding Whoopee Cushions, along with any Weasley Wizard Wheezes products are not allowed on school grounds. If you would like to view the full list of the four-hundred and twenty-seven objects banned from the grounds please check by Mr. Filch's office. Lastly I would like to welcome Professor Lovegood who has taken the place of Hagrid as your new Care of Magical Creatures Teacher," McGonagall began to clap and soon everyone else followed suit. Luna smiled serenely and whispered to Neville next to her. "Now if you could please follow either a prefect or head girl or boy to your house and we expect to see you bright and early tomorrow."
Albus followed Victoire and Lucy who were followed by a train of people. Scorpius and Rosie were close behind him. They soon reached a giant flight of stairs where students flooded in every direction. They all climbed the stairs, which once they were at the middle shifted leading off in a different direction. There were a couple of screams as everyone swung to the right side of the stairs. Once they stopped moving they kept walking and heard Lucy yelling warnings to the first-years.
"Watch out for the trick step, right here. Don't slip, you'll get stuck. There you go, just jump it," she said helping a scrawny blond boy.
There was a screech as Sara Williams stepped into the invisible stair. She was sinking through until Lucy and Molly pulled her by her arms out of it. She thanked them hastily then ran after the Ravenclaws. Rosie stepped around it and followed the other students gazing at the moving paintings. Some of them pointed while others waved. They reminded Albus of the many pictures he had at home, but mostly of the pictures of his grandparents that he never met. Slowly they pushed there way to a painting of a fat lady in a pink silk dress. She smiled unattractively.
"Okay, ze password is ze 'allows," Victoire said. Everyone made confused faces.
"Allows? What kind of password is that?" James asked.
"Hallows, as in Elder wand, resurrection stone and invisibility cloak. Now everyone in we're holding up the line,"
Lucy clarified.
"Hallows," Olivia Thomas said while brushing her dirty blond hair from her face. Right as the portrait swung open a ball of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum fell into her hair. She scratched to get it out, but had no luck.
"Ickle Firstie, has gummy in her hairy!" Peeves cackled.
"'Eeves, move before I get ze Bloody Baron!" screeched Victoire.
After a minute of arguing pointlessly with Peeves everyone went through with a wad of gum in their hair. Once they had all made it into the warm common room the first- years lined up to get the gum removed while the older students experimented with other means. Fred, Roxanne and James were in a corner and James was waving his birch and dragon heart-string wand wildly.
"Scourgify," James shouted at Fred's head.
"Hey, James easy, your going to tear out my hair," he yelled. The other two took turns removing the gum. Scorpius, Albus and Rosie sat a table and talked for hours, about what to expect, wands and the eventful evening. Soon the room cleared out and it was only them with James and his friends. After Albus wrote a letter home he became busy examining his Oak and unicorn hair wand, rolling it in his fingers listening to Rose go on about having to talk to McGonagall about continuing her mother's work on House-Elf rights.
"Albus, you know you can call me Score, that's what my friends called me," Scorpius said.
"Alright Score, you can call me Al," Albus said kindly, feeling a real friendship coming on.
Albus heard the group of twelve-year olds and Fred laughing and having whispered conversations. James of course was leading them. He sat next to Roxanne every so often elbowing her or whispering "Rubbish!". Fred finally yawned and took a paper from his back pocket.
"Well, I got to deal with Harlyn in the morning so let's finish up," he said to the other two, nervously folding and unfolding his schedule.
"Alright, nice job today! The next feast isn't until Halloween, so we still have two months. Let me know any pranks that you think of from now till then. I can't wait to see what she comes up with if she's too scared to use the frogs to make toadstools!" James concluded.
"Goodnight," Fred said before waving at Albus and leaving up the boys staircase.
"See you in the morning, Roxy," James said before hugging her.
"'Night everyone, c'mon Rosie; its getting late," Roxy said before dragging the waving Rosie away with her.
"Ah, what a night, huh Albus?" James asked sitting in a chair next to him.
"Yeah, nice prank, reminds me of Uncle George," Al said shyly.
"Huh, guess it does. Next time I'll come up with something more original. Congrats and goodnight Albus," James muttered before leaving, completely ignoring Scorpius.
Without another word the two boys made their way up the boys spiral staircase until they reached the top where they found their room. It appeared that they shared a room with Lucas Creevy a loud obnoxious wannabe, Malcolm Foster an average know-it-all and Malakai Rivers who was popular without even trying. The circular tower room had five beds lining the walls; each of which was a four-poster and had deep maroon curtains hanging around it. Scorpius and Albus, out of coincidence, were right next to each other. Al found his clothes lying next to a bed and his owl's cage next to it. He attempted to clean it using the "scourgify" spell, but had no luck. Silently they changed and got into the warm beds and pulled their curtains around so that it was dark enough to sleep.
"See you in the morning Al," said Scorpius's disembodied voice.
"Goodnight," said Albus through the heavy curtains. Scorpius yawned and both of them fell asleep to the harmonious snoring of their roommates.